Parliament LIVE | Pradhan: Repeatedly wrote to TN CM to join NEP
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan replied to the discussion on the working of the Education Ministry in the Rajya Sabha
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (March 11) said he repeatedly wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin urging him to join the National Education Policy (NEP) and PM SHRI.
Also read: CM Stalin vows TN will reject NEP, cites BJP’s hostility towards Tamils
Replying to discussion on the working of the Education Ministry in the Rajya Sabha, Pradhan said, "I do not dispute that the NEP has an ideological commitment which is our pride in Bharatiyata and our culture. This is why course books under NEP have to be prepared in 22 languages."
"I told him (Stalin) that Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in education," Pradhan said.
He added that the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu wrote back to me saying Tamil Nadu is "very keen to sign the MoU for establishing PM-SHRI schools in Tamil Nadu" and that "in this regard a state level committee has been constituted and based on the committee report MoU will be signed for 2024-2025".
DMK MPs protest
Earlier on Tuesday, Kanimozhi and other DMK MPs staged a protest within the Parliament premises over the NEP, the three-language policy, and against Pradhan over his remarks in Parliament on Monday calling the Tamil Nadu government “dishonest” and the people of the state “uncivilised”.
On Monday, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for about 30 minutes after DMK members staged protests over Pradhan’s remarks that the Tamil Nadu government was “ruining” the future of the students of the state by taking a complete “U-turn” on the issue of implementing the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI).
“The Tamil Nadu government had initially agreed to sign the MoU. But now they have changed the stand. Many non-BJP-ruled states, including Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, have signed the agreement,” he said. “They (DMK) are dishonest and they are ruining the future of the students of Tamil Nadu. They are doing politics,” he added.
Taking strong exception to the minister’s remarks, DMK members registered strong protests by raising slogans against the central government. After some time, Birla adjourned the House till 12 noon. Monday was the first day of the second half of Parliament’s Budget session.
Opposition walks out of Rajya Sabha
In Rajya Sabha, Opposition parties led by the Congress staged a walkout after their notices for discussions on issues ranging from “duplicate” voter ID cards to US funding to voter turnout were rejected, even as Union minister JP Nadda insisted that the government was ready to discuss any issue, provided they were under the rules.
The Opposition MPs raised slogans after the deputy chairman of the House, Harivansh, said a dozen notices under Rule 267, which calls for setting aside the business of the day to take up discussions on urgent matters, have been rejected. Citing the rejection, Harivansh did not allow Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to make his submission.
The opposition MPs then protested for a while before staging a walkout.
Notices by Opposition
Earlier, Harivansh said 12 notices had been received under Rule 267. Tiruchi N Siva of DMK, CPI’s Santosh Kumar P, Vaiko of MDMK, CPI’s PP Suneer, and P Wilson of DMK demanded discussions on concerns regarding the upcoming delimitation exercise in the southern states.
Trinamool Congress members Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose, along with Pramod Tiwari and Ajay Maken of the Congress demanded discussions over the alleged lapse by the Election Commission in issuing multiple “duplicate” voter ID cards across states.
While Sanjay Singh of AAP demanded a discussion on the financial loss incurred by the small investors due to the continued decline in stock market indices, Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party called for a discussion over a statement made by US President Donald Trump on American funding to increase voter turnout in India.
V Sivadasan of the CPI(M) wanted to raise issues faced by Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers.
In this Parliament session, the government is expected to get the Finance Bills passed, while the Opposition will look to confront it on Waqf Bill, NEP, delimitation, and US tariffs, among others. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also scheduled to table the Budget for Manipur, which is now under President’s Rule.
Also read:
Budget session: 'EPIC' showdown in the offing; Budget, Waqf Bill govt's top priorities
Hindi imposition 2.0? NEP brings TN language warriors back to forefront
Union Cabinet clears 14 changes to Waqf Bill proposed by JPC
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Live Updates
- 11 March 2025 6:24 AM GMT
Nobody can impose three-language policy on us: Tiruchi Siva
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva says, " ...It is misleading (statement of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan), we never said so, Tamil Nadu Education Minister already clarified it...we are wearing black today and going to have a demonstration condemning the observations made by him (Dharmendra Pradhan)...it is unethical and unparliamentary. We are also against three-language policy...nobody can impose it on us..." - 11 March 2025 6:22 AM GMT
Pradhan should have apologised: Karti Chidambaram
On the three-language policy in NEP and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remark, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, "Tamil Nadu is very clear that a two-language curriculum serves us very well. Tamil preserves our identity and is our mother tongue, English is our link language to the world of commerce and science...we don't need a third compulsory language...Minister should have apologised, he withdrew it but he should have apologised too..." - 11 March 2025 6:21 AM GMT
We expect an apology: Kanimozhi
DMK MP Kanimozhi says, "The Union government is withholding the money that has to be given to Tamil Nadu, saying that we have to sign the three-language policy and the NEP. They are ruining the future of the children of Tamil Nadu. They have no right to withhold the funds which have to come to the children of Tamil Nadu. Yesterday, he (Dharmendra Pradhan) responded in a very abusive way, saying that we are dishonest and that the people of Tamil Nadu are uncivilised. This is not the language we expect him to be speaking. This is totally undemocratic. We expect an apology." - 11 March 2025 6:20 AM GMT
TMC stands in support of DMK: Kalyan Banerjee
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says "The language that has been used by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is unexpected. A central minister using such a language for the people of Tamil Nadu has downgraded the people of the state. Either he should seek an apology in the House, or he should be removed as a minister from the cabinet. PM Modi should hear what his ministers are doing...TMC stands in support for DMK and the people of Tamil Nadu..." - 11 March 2025 6:17 AM GMT
RS adjourned till noon after Opposition protest
Rajya Sabha Opposition members from Southern states come wearing black shirts/black bands to protest against the impending delimitation exercise.
DMK MP R Girirajan says not just southern states but even northern states like Punjab will lose out in the delimitation exercise if done purely on basis of population as the current formula and Union government’s approach seeks to “penalise progressive states” for effective population control.
DMK MPs, MDMK chief Vaiko lead disruptions in Rajya Sabha on the delimitation issue.
LoP Mallikarjun Kharge joins the protests after Deputy Chairman Harivansh turns down his request to speak on behalf of the Opposition on the delimitation issue.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon.
- 10 March 2025 11:29 AM GMT
Pradhan assures Tamil-only medium in PM SHRI schools in Tamil Nadu
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday pledged that Tamil will be the exclusive medium of instruction in PM SHRI schools in Tamil Nadu and denied allegations that Hindi was being imposed on the state, Mahalingam Ponnusamy reports.
The minister addressed the media outside Parliament to clarify the government's stand on the National Education Policy (NEP) as well as the objections by Tamil Nadu regarding the PM SHRI scheme.
In the wake of strident criticism from the DMK-led government and its MPs, Pradhan said Tamil would be the exclusive medium of instruction in PM SHRI schools in Tamil Nadu.
Pradhan clarifies
The minister sought to dispel fears about the potential imposition of Hindi as part of the NEP's three-language framework.
“To dispel any misunderstanding, I want to emphasise that the PM SHRI initiative in Tamil Nadu will uphold Tamil as the sole medium of instruction, honouring the state's linguistic traditions and its two-language policy,” he said, countering allegations of cultural imposition.
Pradhan reiterated that the NEP 2020 aimed to foster education in one's mother tongue rather than enforce Hindi.
Pradhan attacks Stalin
He criticised Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin for voicing “imaginary concerns” which he suggested were politically motivated rather than focused on the welfare of students.
Pradhan's comments followed a contentious session in the Lok Sabha, where his earlier remarks labelling DMK members as “dishonest and uncivilized” for opposing the NEP led to protests and walkouts by Tamil Nadu MPs.
The situation escalated as Stalin, along with school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, accused the Modi government of withholding Rs 963 crores in Samagra Shiksha funds to force the state into accepting the NEP and PM SHRI scheme.
Pradhan justifies NEP
Authorities in Tamil Nadu perceive both as a threat to the Tamil linguistic identity.
Pradhan emphasized that the NEP and the PM SHRI initiative were designed to modernize education, improve accessibility and align with international standards while honouring India's linguistic diversity.
"Tamil Nadu is set to receive Rs 5,000 crores through PM SHRI schools, which will prioritize scientific education and instruction in the mother tongue up to Class VIII," he said.
No blackmail, says Pradhan
He urged Tamil Nadu to finalise the necessary MoU to secure these funds.
The minister rejected claims of "fiscal blackmail," contending that states that choose not to participate in NEP-aligned programmes relinquish the advantages meant for their students.
Pradhan reaffirmed the NEP dedication to linguistic diversity, stressing that it supports education in the mother tongue, English and a third language selected by the student which does not have to be Hindi.
Hindi imposition denied
He mentioned that his daughter studied Marathi as a third language, underscoring the policy's adaptability to include regional languages.
He contended that the concerns of Tamil Nadu regarding the imposition of Hindi were misplaced, encouraging the state to adopt the NEP for the advantage of its students.
The minister also addressed criticisms from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had earlier spoken about the cultural importance of Sanskrit in Tamil Nadu temples as well as Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, who accused Stalin of politicizing education for electoral purposes.
Pradhan said: "Our objective is to enhance the educational prospects of Tamil Nadu’s students, not to enforce any specific language. The DMK's opposition appears to be politically driven and hinders the advancement of its youth."
Tamil Nadu still doubtful
Nevertheless, his reassurances did not alleviate doubts in Tamil Nadu, as DMK MP Kanimozhi contended that Pradhan’s earlier remarks "wounded the pride of Tamil Nadu" and showed a dismissive attitude towards the state's cultural heritage.
Minister Anbil Mahesh clarified that Tamil Nadu's hesitance to embrace the PM SHRI initiative was not a "U-turn" but rather a demand for a comprehensive assessment.
- 10 March 2025 11:12 AM GMT
DMK MP Maran's remark draws rebuke from LS Speaker
Certain remarks by DMK member Dayanidhi Maran on Monday in Lok Sabha drew a sharp rebuke from Speaker Om Birla who warned him of strong action.
It was not immediately clear what Maran said when Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange over the National Education Policy.
"Be careful while speaking, whatever you said was not on record. Had it been on record, I would have ensured proper action against you.
"I will do it. You say the same thing on record and I will take action against you immediately," the Lok Sabha Speaker said.
Addressing Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Speaker asked the government to bring a resolution for action against Maran.
"If the government doesn't bring a resolution, I will have to act," Birla said, adding that he will not tolerate any harm to the dignity of the House.
"The House will be run with dignity. If someone tries to overstep or harm its dignity, there will be action," the Speaker said.
Rijiju stepped in to condemn the remarks made by Maran. He assured the Speaker of action after taking a sense of the House.
The parliamentary affairs minister said the Lok Sabha Speaker has always given a fair opportunity to everyone and has never discriminated against anyone.
"I condemn the remarks made by Maran. If necessary, after taking the sense of the House we will take action," Rijiju said.
